Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Temperatures on Sunday may reach the mid to high 40s. Combined with sunny skies, it will be possible to trigger wet avalanches on steep terrain. Avalanches will be more likely on slopes in direct sun. If you find wet, heavy snow, it may be time to move to lower angle or shadier terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Another warm and sunny day is in store for Sunday. While blustery winds on Saturday helped keep surfaces cool, decreasing winds and even warmer temperatures on Sunday will sustain the potential for wet loose avalanches. Cloudy skies overnight may prevent snow surfaces from refreezing. There are still areas with dry snow susceptible to warming, and danger may increase rapidly, especially on sun-exposed slopes. Thick crusts under the storm snow from 1/30 - 2/1 can act as a good bed surface for wet avalanches to run on. Many southern aspects at low elevations have melted back significantly, and an inversion may trap cool air in low-lying valleys, limiting the potential for avalanches. If you see pinwheels or rollerballs and the snow feels wet and heavy, it might be a good time to head toward lower angle or shadier slopes. You can also observe how wet snow reacts when you push on small test slopes. If the wet snow gathers momentum and entrains additional snow, wet loose avalanches are possible. Be cautious of traveling above rocks, cliffs, creeks, or other obstacles that can increase the consequences of getting caught.

    (1/25/2022)

    Wet loose avalanches in steep terrain may be possible with sun and warming temperatures on Sunday. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

Uncertainty and variable conditions are the themes in the East South zone. Over the last week, storms have deposited 8-12 inches of snow over various surfaces. Strong ridgeline winds have redistributed much of that new snow into dense slabs, scoured west aspects, and created stiff wind-board surfaces. Eastern portions of the zone received minimal new snow, and thick icy crusts exist on the surface, maintaining challenging travel conditions. As the weather transitions into an unseasonably warm and dry pattern, this variability will significantly affect the distribution of avalanche hazard throughout the zone and add uncertainty to the forecast. Expect elevated hazard in areas closer to the crest that received more snow. If you are getting out to enjoy the sunshine, approach terrain with an assessment mindset, investigate snowpack interfaces, look for signs of instability such as shooting cracks or collapsing, and pay close attention to surfaces warming in the sun. There was a significant loss in overall snow height in January, and many ridgelines, southern aspects, and low elevation slopes melted out to bare ground. Several creeks reopened during the warm weather, and many snow bridges fractured or collapsed. Shallowly buried obstacles are additional hazards to deal with hidden beneath the new snow. 

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